How to decorate your home with festive plants this Christmas

The typical centrepiece of many Christmas celebrations is a lovely, green Christmas tree. But that doesn’t mean it has to be the only star of the show. There are many ways you can spread yuletide cheer in even the smallest corners of your home. By using plants to decorate, you’ll complement your Christmas tree and make your festivities more lush and green. 

A charming way to set the scene for your home is by hanging a wreath of holly on your front door, or by placing a holly tree (or two) on your doorstep. 

In Celtic mythology, holly trees symbolise peace and goodwill, and especially at this time of year, it’s a lovely way to greet anyone that walks by, or welcome anyone that comes in. That’s what makes Holly, our ilex aquifolium, the perfect choice.

Don’t worry if this isn’t an option for your home, there’s plenty of ways you can create that Christmas vibe as soon as you open the door.

With the right plants, it’s easy to create that cosy Christmas feeling to get you in the mood.

Going traditional with your colour scheme? Plants with flowers and leaves in shades of green and red will match your Christmas décor. For this, Dina the ruby lime fittonia, and her sisters, Tina the ruby orange fittonia and Nina the white forest flame fittonia, are an excellent trio. An anthurium Alaska like Florence is more suited to a muted and elegant colour scheme – her white flowers look like stunning winter snow.

If you’re focusing on texture, Amélie the mistletoe cactus is the plant for you. She’s the plant cousin of tinsel, except more merry, more planet-friendly, and her leaves are less likely to end up all over your floor. 

While a Christmas tree like Nora the Nordmann fir can be a focal point in a room, adding a few Christmas plants on different surfaces, like tables and shelves, will make your decoration feel fuller and more sophisticated. Play with height and put plants like Francisca the Christmas cactus on a side table. And put smaller, eye-catching plants like Carlos the mojito syngonium slightly higher, on a shelf or mantlepiece, for balance. 

Bring Christmas magic to the table by making a centrepiece out of plants. Choose just one or two standout pieces, or go for lots of smaller plants depending on the size and shape of your table. Whatever you decide on, plants are sure to make your dining experience feel more bountiful and inviting. 

For long tables, stagger different-sized plants along the middle to create some dynamism. The pink tones of Clancy the aglaonema red star pairs really well with the vibrant leaves on William, the prince of orange. For round tables, put taller plants in the centre and smaller ones in front to create visual levels. And if you’re tight on space, Makana the aloe paradise and Mel the kalanchoe are two great options for a compact festive flourish.

If one Christmas tree isn’t enough, or if you simply haven’t got the space for a big one, you could always opt for smaller spruces, pines and firs. 

Put Bruce the mini spruce on any small, forgotten surface and he’ll make it feel like its own winter wonderland. There’s also Priya the pinus pinea who’s tiny in stature, but big in festive feels. Or for something a little more minimalist, Neva the Norfolk pine and her distinct branches add a sense of architectural elegance.

Our trees are also potted, so they can continue life after Christmas. Sustainable, and less post-Christmas clear up!

Try something new this holiday season. Embrace Christmas plant decorations and discover the difference they can make to your traditions, and in your home.